ROANOKE, Va., November 21, 2014 – Weather conditions, river flows and unexpected repairs have caused a delay in the planned reopening of the forebay and portage access at Appalachian Power’s Byllesby hydroelectric dam in Carroll County, Va. 

Byllesby and its companion Buck Dam were damaged by heavy rains and high water from a major storm that hit the area on New River in January 2013. Water overtopped the Byllesby dam and damaged flashboards during one of the most severe events on record for New River.

Major repair work and dredging began during spring 2014 and necessitated lowering the forebay and closing off portage points for travelers on the river. Appalachian planned to have the forebay back to its normal elevation and trails opened again by mid-November, but the company is now projecting that the entire job will not be complete until December 19.

Appalachian Power appreciates the patience of river users and urges anyone who uses the area to be mindful of possible hazardous conditions until work is completed.

Appalachian Power has 1 million customers in Virginia, West Virginia and Tennessee (as AEP Appalachian Power). It is a unit of American Electric Power, one of the largest electric utilities in the United States, which delivers electricity to more than 5 million customers in 11 states. AEP ranks among the nation’s largest generators of electricity, owning nearly 38,000 megawatts of generating capacity in the U.S. AEP also owns the nation’s largest electricity transmission system, a nearly 39,000-mile network that includes more 765 kilovolt extra-high voltage transmission lines than all other U.S. transmission systems combined. 

                                                                                                                        ###